How the number is worked out
The value of the gold in a piece comes from three things: its weight, how much of that weight is pure gold, and the price of pure gold today.
- Weigh the pieceIn grams, or in pennyweight (dwt) or troy ounces, the units jewelers and refiners use. The scale converts everything to grams.
- Apply the karatKarat tells you the share of pure gold. 14K is 14 parts gold out of 24, so 58.33% of the weight is gold.
- Price the fine goldGold is quoted per troy ounce (31.1035 g). Divide by 31.1035 to get the price per gram, then multiply by the grams of pure gold.
Example at today’s price: a 10 g chain in 14K holds 5.833 g of pure gold. At $129.45 per gram, the gold in it is worth $755.12.
Gold value by karat, today
Value of the gold only, at the current price. Look for the stamp inside a ring band or on a clasp.
| Karat | Stamp | Gold content | Per gram | Per dwt | Per 10 g |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10K · 417 | 417 | 41.67% | $53.94 | $83.88 | $539.37 |
| 14K · 585 | 585 | 58.33% | $75.51 | $117.43 | $755.12 |
| 18K · 750 | 750 | 75.00% | $97.09 | $150.99 | $970.86 |
| 22K · 916 | 916 | 91.67% | $118.66 | $184.54 | $1,186.61 |
| 24K · 999 | 999 | 99.9% | $129.32 | $201.11 | $1,293.19 |
Gold price checked Oct 29, 2026, 6:42 AM ET. Updated every 10 minutes.
Grams, pennyweight and troy ounces
| 1 pennyweight (dwt) | 1.5552 grams |
|---|---|
| 1 troy ounce (oz t) | 31.1035 grams |
| 1 troy ounce | 20 pennyweight |
| 1 ordinary ounce (oz) | 28.3495 grams, not used for gold |
Gold is always priced by the troy ounce, which is about 10% heavier than the ounce used for food. Many buyers in the US weigh in pennyweight.
What this number does not include
- Stones. Diamonds and gems are valued separately.
- Workmanship, designer names and antique value, which can be worth more than the metal.
- What a buyer will pay. Buyers offer less than the gold value to cover refining and their margin, so ask for the weight, karat and price per gram in writing before you sell.
Common questions
How much is 14K gold worth per gram?
About $75.51 per gram for the gold content, at the price checked Oct 29, 2026, 6:42 AM ET. 14K is 58.33% gold, so a gram of 14K jewelry holds 0.583 g of pure gold.
How much is 18K gold worth per gram?
About $97.09 per gram for the gold content (Oct 29, 2026, 6:42 AM ET). 18K is 75% gold.
How much is 10K gold worth per gram?
About $53.94 per gram for the gold content (Oct 29, 2026, 6:42 AM ET). 10K is 41.67% gold, the lowest karat sold as gold in the US.
What does 585 or 750 stamped on gold mean?
585 means 58.5% gold, the European mark for 14K. 750 means 75% gold, or 18K. 417 is 10K, 916 is 22K and 999 is pure gold.
What is a pennyweight?
A pennyweight (dwt) is 1.5552 grams, and 20 pennyweight make a troy ounce. At today’s price, a pennyweight of 14K is worth about $117.43 in gold.
Why does a buyer offer less than this?
Buyers pay below the gold value to cover refining, testing and their profit. The calculator shows the full gold value so you can see how far an offer is from it.
More guides
Keep the proof, not just the number
Karat & Key keeps each piece’s value, photos, receipts and appraisals together, ready for your insurer.
Get early access